San Francisco Immigration Law Blog

Nebraska Service Center (NSC) in our conference call this morning 13July2017, NSC confirmed that H4 status must be approved before an EAD may be extended. There is no automatic employment authorization granted by the timely filing of H4 and EAD extension requests within the current H4 and EAD validity dates. Further, there were a number of H1B extensions filed with

EB2 World Wide Green Card Issuance Delayed The August 2017 Visa Bulletin posted by the Department Of State shows oversubscription of ALL employment-based second preference categories. WORLDWIDE, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, MEXICO, AND PHILIPPINES Employment-based Second (EB2) Preference category: High demand for numbers for USCIS adjustment of status applicants has required the establishment of a Final Action Date for August.

CBP ESTA and Visa Waiver Program VWP FAQs add Social Media https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq While the Social Media questions on the ESTA / Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Application are optional and are not required to be answered. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) updated their ESTA / VWP FAQs to advise that social media profiles are subject to review at admission to

The DOS and IRS May Share Financial Information Regarding an I-864 Affidavit of Support Clients at times inquire if their financial information supplied during a visa application process is available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). While the exchange of information is not automatic. It is authorized to verify information provided by the applicant or where fraud is suspected. Sponsors

ICE Immigration Victims Office (VOICE) Warning! https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/04/26/dhs-announces-launch-new-office-victims-illegal-immigrant-crime On April 26, 2017, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly announced the official launch of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE). ICE is charged with a mission to identify, arrest, and remove aliens who present a danger to national security or are a risk to

CBP Deploys Biometric Exit Technology at Washington Dulles and Boston Logan Other Airports to Follow CBP News Release June 2, 2017 https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-deploys-biometric-exit-technology-washington-dulles CBP has deployed facial recognition biometric technology at Washington Dulles International Airport for one daily flight from the United States to Dubai and Boston Logan International Airport to Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba. Using this technology, CBP

While we are temporarily required to file H1B Extensions of Stay (EOS) Petitions for an H-1B worker to continue the same employment with the same employer at Nebraska Service Center to balance (NSC) USCIS workload. Now, temporarily, USCIS is transferring H-1B EOS I-129 petitions and accompanying H4 I-539 EOS and I-765 EAD from the NSC to the California Service Center

H Employers may expect increased scrutiny and site visits as the Secretary of Labor Directs Agencies to Aggressively Confront Visa Program Fraud and Abuse The Secretary of Labor affirms the focus of DOL to “enforce vigorously all laws within its jurisdiction governing the administration and enforcement of nonimmigrant visa programs.” The notice outlines steps that DOL will take to investigate

USCIS to update H-1B guidance to the USCIS Policy Manual in response to Senate request for action on H1B Program. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Grassley%20Signed%20Response%205.24.17.pdf USCIS Acting Director James McCament responded to a letter from Senator Charles Grassley with concerns on the H-1B program. The letter states, “USCIS continues to review all policies related to the H-1B program and is planning to publish an